Wynyard Edge Alliance

A long-term legacy

CONNEXIS AWARD: Turnover of $100m and over COMPANY: Wynyard Edge Alliance (WEA) Joint Venture: McConnell Dowell, Downer NZ, Beca, T+T, Auckland Council, and MBIE

One of the most successful multidisciplinary projects completed in recent times in New Zealand, Wynyard Edge Alliance (WEA) has provided a legacy that extends beyond the new infrastructure created for the 36th America’s Cup event.

A key focus of the team was to identify and create positive long-term social outcomes through AC36 delivery, while achieving the clients’ requirements for an on-time and budget completion, with zero harm to people or the environment.

For example, WEA employed many staff for whom English is a second language and whom lacked the communication skills or confidence to ‘speak up and be safe’ during pre-start meetings or contribute to green card reporting. To address this issue, WEA identified at-risk workers and assisted them with language development and confidence through a 25-hour learning programme. This programme was jointly funded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) and WEA, and was undertaken by Education Unlimited.

Following the programme, WEA saw significant improvements in worker engagement, language, and confidence skills. The programme also had a tremendous effect on the overall safe execution of AC36, helping achieve 1.1 million worker hours for the complete project without a lost-time injury.